As a commissioned officer, you will be required to maintain a complete wardrobe of all required uniforms. You will receive a copy of the NOAA Corps Directives which detail the uniform requirements in Chapter 12, Part 2, when you arrive at BOTC.

The class will travel as a group to the Newport Naval Station, in Newport, Rhode Island, to purchase uniforms at their Naval Exchange Facility. NOAA Corps staff will be present to help you through this process.

To assist in the purchase and maintenance of your uniforms, new officers will receive one uniform allowance of $400.00 in the first paycheck. Though you will not be receiving your uniform allowance until your first paycheck is processed at the end of the month, you must be prepared to purchase the minimum required uniforms during the first week of training. The Navy Exchange will accept cash, check, or any major credit card. There is no opportunity for cost deferment.

In addition to the uniform clothing expenses, you will have to purchase approximately $125 worth of NOAA Corps insignia during the first week of BOTC. NOAA Corps insignia must be paid for in cash or by personal check. Be prepared to pay for this required purchase early in the first week of training.

Uniform requirements, with estimated costs can be found at the following links: male uniforms and female uniforms. You will notice that certain uniforms will be required at different times during the training program (depending on the months BOTC is held). It is mandatory that you wear the prescribed uniform of the day during all classroom activities. There is also a list of optional items than many officers often choose to buy.

It is understandable that you may want to spread out this cost by purchasing the various uniforms over several months. You may do so at your own risk. The day trip to Newport will be the only scheduled opportunity for purchasing uniforms during BOTC. If you choose to delay the purchase of some articles, you will be required to make future purchases on your own time. There is a small uniform shop on campus, though selections are often limited and prices are somewhat higher. The Navy Exchange does offer phone orders and internet shopping if you are confident in what sizes to buy.

If comfortably able to do so, it is highly recommended that an officer purchase as many of the uniforms as possible at the Newport Navy Exchange during the first week of training.